[Publib] legal/ethical issue

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings –

 

According to:

 

PENNSYLVANIA STATUTES  - TITLE 24.  EDUCATION - CHAPTER 16.  LIBRARIES -
ARTICLE IV 

24 P.S. §  4428  [P.S.] §  4428.  Library circulation records 

 

Records related to the circulation of library materials which contain the
names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of the
State Library or any local library which is established or maintained under
any law of the Commonwealth or the library of any university, college or
educational institution chartered by the Commonwealth or the library of any
public school or branch reading room, deposit station or agency operated in
connection therewith, shall be confidential and shall not be made available
to anyone except by a court order in a criminal proceeding.  

                                                                  

It seems to me that a key determining factor would be that the libraries are
separate entities.  It does

not seem to me to be appropriate to disclose information between separate
entities since they would

contain names or other personally identifying details.  If they do, it seems
that at the very least the

public should be notified before they have circulation transactions that
their information could be

shared.

 

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-441-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

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From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Joan Pellikka
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 3:41 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] legal/ethical issue

 

Greetings,

 

I usually just lurk, but I really need your help here. I work in a rural
library system with more than 60 libraries. These are not branch libraries;
they are all separate entities with their own library boards. Very few of
them have any staff members with an MLS, including the library directors.
The library system uses SIRSI, but fewer than half of the libraries are
fully automated.

 

My question involves the use of SIRSI to indicate when a patron has been
barred. We have been having some discussion regarding the possibility of
libraries indicating when a patron is barred for reasons unrelated to
circulation issues, in particular when there has been a behavioral problem.
This information can be accessed by any of the participating libraries. Some
of us have expressed concern over this practice due to privacy &
confidentiality issues and the possible violation of civil rights.

 

We have been told that this use of SIRSI (and other automation systems) is
common in other library systems and we would like to know if this is the
case. If so, has anyone ever expressed the same concern that we have? Even
better, has any library system ever been legally challenged by a patron for
this practice and lost? Or, are our concerns completely unfounded and we
should not be concerned at all?

 

Any input on this at all would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Joan Pellikka

 

 

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